Dual Core Z vs T series, fully loaded: Which is better?

Z vs. T models: Dual Core

1. Titanium vs. No titanium
2. Widescreen vs. no widescreen
3. No software image capability vs Software image capability
4. Heaviar by a pound vs. lighter
5. 128MB ATI card vs. 256MB ATI Card

 

How could one tell without bare speculating, there are actually no dual core Z-Modells available and most people even don't have seen any T60 series dual core model live so far?

The other points are pretty much dependent to personal/individual needs and gusto, thus everybody has and should have his own preferences here.

 

Hi
I have used a T60 dual core...its currently featured on the IBM US website. I have the roadmap with me. Z dual core is due May release

 

If the T60 is anything like the T43, then I would go hands down with the Z60m. My z60m feels so much stronger than the T43's I have played with, and the thick metal cover makes all the difference.

 

Well, IMO you should wait until the Z-series with dual core is available and until you can really compare both vis-a-vis. So far you just have taken a look on a roadmap and nothing more related to the Z-series models with dual core CPUs.

Further you should better trust and have your own opinion related to your individual needs here. In other words, how can I or somebody else really tell you, which one would be better suited for you. Everybody has finally individual needs/preferences and thus also always to decide on it's own which one might be the right one for him/her.

 

by your logic we dont need a user forum at all! we should be able to figure out everything ourself!

 

Somehow, I think that what he is saying is making a little sense indeed.
It also does depend on what you like and what you need.
I don't need a widescreen, for example and that is one of the main arguments to make the choice for a T-series Thinkpad, for me.

 

No, you need a forum or the like in order to get a better overview and more informations about specific notebook models. For example if some models have generally dim screens, low battery runtimes or are bad/faulty assembled and the like. But a user forum usually can't make a personal/individual decision for you and your specific needs.

So related to the above, of what help is it for you personally (?) if I would decide or tell...

1. No titanium
2. no widescreen
3. Software image capability
4. lighter
5. 128MB ATI Card

...but you may individually prefer instead...

1. Titanium
2. Widescreen
3. No software image capability
4. Heavier by a pound
5. 256MB ATI card

 

Yeah, so much personal preference in it.

I hate the Titanium cover. It's not needed, unless you like to punch your notebook.

I prefer standard screen to widescreen. Games don't look stretched.

I'd love to have the most powerful graphics card possible, although it's not just about RAM size.

I haven't held a Z60m, but being thicker and heavier, I imagine it must be more rugged than a T-series. I'd still go for the thin&light, especially considering that they are strong enough for any practical purpose (unless you like throwing them down flights of stairs).

 

You sir have not played HL2 to its fullest yet. I myself was having some hawt hawt 1680 x 1050 HL2 action a bit ago

 

And if so, i would ask you:
Why No titanium? (you perhaps know more about casings on the regular IBM T60 vs. the Z and i dont).
2. What does the software image capability actually mean? (i am not very sure)

So i disagree that one shouldnt use a forum to supplement (not substitute) personal preference.

And there maybe other differences which I am unaware of which others would know.

 

there is rarely a product whch is universally "better." For example, the 256MB video card is definitely more powerful than the 64MB in my T43, but for me it is not "better", since I do not game, and therefore don't need the extra heat or battery drain, nevermind extra cost.

Since we can't know exacly how you will use the machine, we can give you facts but not form opinions for you. For example, I like the text size of the 1400x1050 screen, so in my opinion it is fine. But I can guarantee that my boss would not like it at all, as he usually sets screen resolution to around 800x600.

 

Well, I think the problem I have with your initial posting is, that it looks to me much more like one of those quickly thrown in polls and thus not as concrete specific formulated or asked questions. - Further you didn't told anything about your main usage/application area for the notebook, e.g. what's your primary/intentional usage of it. Meaning would you tend to use it as an overall desktop replacement, or do you have instead to be mobil and travel a lot with it...and so on. - Without knowing some of the backgrounds it's difficult to give any advice or tell which one might be better suited for you individually.


However, I will give you some of my personal thoughts to your listed points, so you may later refine them to more specific questions related to those topics.

1. Titanium vs. No titanium

Actually titanium covers are just offered for some of the Z-series models and so there are usually two main points where they play a role for some people. First of all it's the overall L&F, some people like and prefer the titanium cover look and feel over the black plastic ones, others don't. The second point is durability, since the titanium material gives a slightly better protection to the cover. - So all in all it's more a matter of taste and your individual decision here, in case you opt for a Z-series model. - I personally won't choose a Z-series model over a T-series model just for the titanium cover alone, but who knows others maybe do so.

2. Widescreen vs. no widescreen

There are good and bad widescreen TFT-panels, as there are good and bad 4:3 standard TFT-panels too. So it's again a matter of taste, which is also related to the overall notebook dimensions. The 14" TFT-panels of the T- and Z-series are both not very spectacular, meaning both are just common average.

The 15"/15,4" TFT-panels are much better here, as far as one chooses a 15" FlexView panel for the T-series or the 15,4" WXGA MaxBright panel for the Z60m series. - The usual 15" 4:3 XGA panels and 15,4" WXGA panels aren't spectacular and also just common average.

So it's finally again an individual matter of taste, if one prefers a standard 4:3 or instead a widescreen TFT-panel.

3. No software image capability vs Software image capability

Software image capabilities, may it be the by Lenovo/IBM supplied one or instead something like TrueImage/Ghost etc. is always a good idea to have and use. It allows you to backup and playback complete or partial system states of your notebook. Further it offers faster turn-around times (you don't have to install and setup everything from scratch...) when in trouble/accident or when some possible worse case scenario happens.

So I this time clearly demand people to make use of image software if it comes bundled with their notebooks, since it lowers the stress factor for recoveries and the like in accident cases. - However, this is usually bundled with most Thinkpads right out of the box and those who might prefer some other third party software solutions here should take a look at TrueImage or Ghost etc.

4. Heavier by a pound vs. lighter

I personally usually tend to use notebooks in a more mobile manner, so I always say for myself "the lighter the better". But there are other people for which the weight doesn't play a big role, since they use a specific notebook more as a sort of fixed place desktop replacement or they always travel with the car or the like. - So this point is again pretty much individual person related and the way people work and use their notebook.

5. 128MB ATI card vs. 256MB ATI Card

This depends on the individual needs and used third party software. People who use GPU intensive applications and want to run higher resolutions sure have some need for a more GPU RAM equiped graphics card. Also those who plan to make later use of the MS Vista Aero 3D capabilities should wisely opt for more GPU RAM.

 

Good points vkyr. Another thing worth mentioning is the design and layout of the keyboard of the new Z series and also the new T60. I would still prefer the older Thinkpad design than the new one, which is very bland and has a cheap look to it. I saw the older T-42 and the new Z-60 side by side at a local office depot and i clearly would choose the older keyboard design which seems to have a character and soul to it, whereas the new design looks very plain and boring.

 

thanks..that was very helpful..im looking at a desktop replacement which is reasonably mobile. Dont plan to carry it around all the time.

btw what is the casing of the t60 made of? why is it lighter for afaik ibm doesnt make carbon fiber casing yet, does it?

 

The T4x series used a magnesium LCD cover, and a carbon fiber/titanium reinforced chassis. the T60 uses the magnesium roll cage, dunno if any of the components of the T4x chassis carried over.

vkyr - can the software image backup be done over a network? My laptop is limited on hard drive space, but I have all I need on my desktop, and can always add more.

 

Just use a software like Acronis to backup.
You can schedule it to backup specific files/folders on a daily, weekly, monthly basis. Never tried having it synch to a LAN though.

 

@athreya

As a desktop replacement notebook both, a Thinkpad Z60m with a WXGA MaxBright (the 15,4 WSXGA+ TFT-panel is also quite good if you need a higher resolution) or a T60 with a 15" FlexView should be well suited.

For the T60 case material the Tabook lists: "Magnesium composite top cover, Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) bottom cover".

For the Z60m: "Some: black color; Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) plastic. Some: top cover: silver color; ABS, aluminum, titanium material; bottom: black, ABS".

However, both Thinkpads should be sturdy and offer good durability.


@strikeback03

Yes, every better Image software should be able to do so. For example I often used TrueImage that way, in order to backup the images of 3 computers over a network onto a storage server. But you should also be able to use some external plugged in hdd or a NAS hdd.

 

I haven't played HL2 at all. Yet... Anyhow, you got my point perfectly, I'm sure of that.

 

Z dual core will be available in first week June. Official release date is May 15th, 2006.

Will have a 3-in-1 card reader, firewire, S Video ports

 

Where'd you get this from?

 

Hey are 14 inch core duo z series coming out too?

 

ibm top management

 

If I may throw in my two cents . . . A metal LCD cover is clearly desired, as you don't want the LCD flexing. I really don't see an enormous advantage of titanium over magnesium here. Yes, titanium is stronger, and has a higher melting point, and what not, but . . .

The chassis itself, however, does benefit from having some elasticity as long as internal components are not subject to any flexing--thus, the logic in a titanium frame with a somewhat flexible carbon fiber reinforced plastic chassis.

athreya: IBM top management, huh ? Hm.

 

huh what? cant give you the persons name since it was told in confidence. hmm to U2.

 

Any word on if the prices of the dual core Z60 series will go up, or will they just replace the top of the line Pentium M models at the same price point like other manufacturers are doing?

 

From the trend on the dual T's and X's, they will probably start off equal or even less than the others. Intel is also going to make the push for the Duo and Solo core chips to be the front line, and phase out P-M models. A price hike on the older models, and discounts on the newer models will probably reflect this as CPU prices vary.

 

did you take the stickers off the Z60 before return?

 

Well, the whole notebook market is in transition to move over to single/dual core CPUs and the Intel Napa technology, so that's no suprise at all, that the Z-series will also have to make soon the move over to the newer CPUs (...otherwise they won't sell much of the Z-models in future, if these would be just stucked on the older Centrino based CPU technology). - Personally I'am here also more interested in by end of year awaited Merom CPUs than the actual Yonah CPUs. And yes, the IT domain and hardware sector is always a very fast moving sector.

However, instead of card readers and such let's say ...of more secondary minor interest gimmicks... they should instead see to adapt a better TFT-panel quality and also try to rework their OEM assembling quality end control for the Z60t series.

 

they will phase out the centrinos and everything will be duos by the end of the year